National

DOE: 90 percent of gas stations nationwide would have hiked prices by end of January due to TRAIN

Majority of gas stations nationwide would have already hiked prices by the end of the month because of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion law. Energy Assistant Secretary Leonido Pulido III said in Thursday’s committee on energy hearing that  approximately 90 percent of all gas stations would have made the price adjustments. He said the so-called Big 3— Caltex, Petron, and Shell —and Flying V already implemented price hikes on January 15. Authorities have said […]

SWS: Duterte gov’t nets record-high “excellent” satisfaction rating

Duterte admin surpasses its previous records, record achieved by then-President Benigno Aquino III’s gov’t in June 2013 (Eagle News) — The government of President Rodrigo Duterte has obtained a record-high rating of excellent, surpassing its previous records and the record achieved by his predecessor’s administration, based  on the latest Social Weather Stations survey. Results of the poll done from December 8 to 16, 2017 showed that 79% of adult Filipinos were satisfied with the general performance of […]

Nat’l Press Club reacts on Rappler issue: “Responsible journalism means complying with the law.”

(Eagle News) — The National Press Club said the Securities and Exchange Commission’s ruling revoking the certificate of incorporation of controversial online news site, Rappler, would not affect nor threaten the exercise of press freedom in the country. “Responsible journalism means complying with the law,” read NPC’s statement issued by its president Paul Gutierrez. The NPC, a professional and social organization of journalists in the Philippines founded in October 1952, said it believed that the […]

Roque tells Rappler reporters to be bloggers instead

President Spokesperson Harry Roque on Wednesday urged reporters of Rappler to reinvent themselves as bloggers instead. Roque made the suggestion a day after the Security and Exchange Commission revoked the news site’s incorporation papers for alleged violation of the constitutional restriction on foreign ownership in mass media. “No one has been prevented from exercising free speech, no one has been banned from performing their role as journalists,” Roque said. Rappler editors could not be reached […]

VACC asks Duterte to declare national emergency over Dengvaxia mess

(Eagle News) — The Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption on Wednesday urged President Rodrigo Duterte to issue a proclamation declaring a state of national emergency following the administration of the controversial Dengvaxia vaccine to over 830,000 people. In a letter received by the Office of the President on Wednesday, January 17, VACC president Dante Jimenez  said that the declaration  was warranted, given a variety of reasons. For one, he said that “no less than about […]

“You have to go,” President Duterte warns negligent, lazy officials involved in delayed public works projects

  (Eagle News) –Officials behind public works projects that remained unfinished for years will be the next target of President Rodrigo Duterte who vowed to initiate a review of these delayed projects. He said these negligent officials will have to go. “So I will review with the Cabinet this one. All public works projects, which have been delayed for years, you get out immediately and I can maybe look for the money,” President Duterte said […]

SEC ready to defend decision against Rappler; says ruling issued after due process

QUEZON CITY, Philippines (Eagle News) — The Securities and Exchange Commission is ready to defend its decision cancelling the registration of online news site, Rappler. “Having issued the decision after much deliberation and pursuant to law and due process, I will certainly defend it to the hilt,” SEC Chairperson Teresita Herbosa said in an interview. She said the decision is by virtue of the provisions of the Constitution prohibiting foreign ownership of media in the […]

Lorenzana: Bong Go, Palace did not intervene in Navy frigate deal

(Eagle News) — Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Wednesday said neither the Palace nor Special Assistant to the President Bong Go intervened in the Navy’s P15.7-billion frigate acquisition project. “There was neither hint nor guidance from (them) to influence the implementation of the project. There is a contract for the FAP which was crafted mainly by the Philippine Navy and it will be implemented strictly to the letter,” Lorenzana said in a statement. He said […]

DOJ’s Aguirre orders NBI to conduct “case build-up” vs Rappler

  (Eagle News) – The Department of Justice has directed the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to probe deeper into the possible violations of the Constitution and other laws by online news site Rappler. Through Department Order No. 17, Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II tasked the NBI, through Director Gierran, to conduct a “case build-up” against Rappler, and to file the “appropriate cases against those found liable.” The order dated January 17, 2018 takes effect […]

Retired policeman appointed to PCSO; Abas re-appointed as COMELEC chief

(Eagle News) — President Rodrigo Duterte has appointed a retired policeman to the board of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, and re-appointed Sheriff Abas as chief of the Commission on Elections. Anselmo Pinili, the President’s former special envoy on transnational crime, replaced Jorge Corpuz, who resigned citing “health reasons.” Pinili’s term of office will expire on June 30, 2018. Abas, meanwhile, was re-appointed  after the Commission on Appointments did not act on his appointment in November […]

Overseas Filipino Bank to be launched tomorrow, January 18

(Eagle News) – The Overseas Filipino Bank is set to launched tomorrow, January 18, ready to provide financial and remittance services tailored to the needs of overseas Filipino workers, according to the Department of Finance The launch will happen Thursday afternoon at the PostBank Center in Liwasang Bonifacio, Manila. “We recognize the contribution of our overseas Filipinos to our economic growth we are now enjoying; and related to this, we acknowledge their financial needs,” Roque […]

Roque: Bidder in controversial Navy frigate contract was chosen during former President Noynoy Aquino’s time

(Eagle News) — The South Korean bidder for the Navy’s acquisition of two frigates was already chosen during the administration of former President Benigno Aquino III. As such, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said Special Assistant to the President Bong Go could not have intervened in the process, as erroneously insinuated by several media organizations. He said the winning bidder, Hyundai Heavy Industries, with a bid price of P15,744,571,584 for two frigates, was declared on June […]